Low Laithes

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

People had comprehensive care plans which detailed their strengths and promoted their dignity and independence. Their communication needs were assessed and recorded in detail and staff interacted appropriately with people according to their needs. People were supported to have choice and control over their own care and to make decisions about their care, treatment, and how they wished to live their lives. Where people lacked capacity to make decisions, the decision-making process was clearly recorded. People had been referred to other health professionals as required and there were systems in place to monitor people’s individual health and wellbeing.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

We received mixed responses from relatives about their involvement in the assessment and review of the care of their relative. One commented, “Yes, we take part in all MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) meetings every few months and are invited. I can email [staff name] and phone the manager and they are good at getting back.” Another said, “No, not really.”

Staff were involved in developing care plans and reviewing and updating them as necessary. One of the clinical team told us, “The starting point is a functional assessment where we look at people’s behaviour, where and when they occur and what we need to do to support that person. Staff are integral to this role because they gather the data to say where and when things happen and also try to identify any triggers. This is developed into a positive behaviour support plan.” Staff were aware of the importance of involving people in all aspects of their care and ensuring they were meeting people’s assessed needs. One staff told us, “Person centred care. People are involved in making their plans.”

Comprehensive assessments were completed prior to support starting, with information transferring through to support plans and risk assessments. These were person centred and described in depth how a person wanted to be supported. Support plans and risk assessment were reviewed regularly and included detailed information on health and communication. Staff understood the importance of promoting equality and diversity. Care plans contained information about people's religious beliefs and their personal relationships within their circle of support. Staff were provided with training in communication including Makaton and people were given information in ways they could understand.

We did not look at Delivering evidence-based care and treatment during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.

We did not look at How staff, teams and services work together during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.

We did not look at Supporting people to live healthier lives during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.

We did not look at Monitoring and improving outcomes during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.

During our assessment we observed staff seeking consent and people making choices about their daily activities. A range of communication tools were in place to support people to make decisions. One relative told us, “Consent is reasonably adjusted so [Name] can understand what happens next. All facilitated in one to two words or visual support.”

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and people were supported wherever possible to make their own decisions. One staff member said, “People have been assessed and the care plans include how to support them with decisions.” Another staff commented, “Assume capacity. All have a care plan and follow that. If they don’t want a shower, they have the right to make their own decision. Just encourage and that’s it.” The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) provides a legal framework for making particular decisions on behalf of people who may lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. The MCA requires that, as far as possible, people make their own decisions and are helped to do so when needed. When they lack mental capacity to take particular decisions, any made on their behalf must be in their best interests and as least restrictive as possible. People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment when this is in their best interests and legally authorised under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA). In care homes, and some hospitals, this is usually through MCA application procedures called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

The provider has suitable policies and procedures in place regarding consent to care and treatment. The registered manger was aware of the mental capacity act and associated legislation. Staff had received training in MCA and care records included detailed information related to MCA and consent. This enabled people to make informed decisions about their care, or health and social care professionals to make best interest decisions on their behalf. DoLS applications had been submitted appropriately. Clear records showed when and why the application had been submitted, date authorised, any conditions and duration of the authorisation. Care plans were person centred and provided detailed information on how to support people.